Q&A for How to Replace Tie Rod Ends

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Question

Should I put a pin back in the inner tie rod where it bolts onto the rack and pinion on a 2008 Ford Mustang GT?

Community Answer

Inner tie rods thread on to the rack and do not use a castle nut or cotter pin, they thread on to the rack, and make sure to use RED loctite. They use a washer that you need to bend in so if the tie rod backs off, the washer acts as a safety. The outer tie rod uses a castle nut with a cotter pin; if you are tightening the nut, do not back it off to put the cotter pin in, always tighten to get it in so the taper between the tie rod and the knuckles steering arm is not loose.

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Question

Are the tie rods the same length on both sides?

Community Answer

Not that I've seen. Look up the part numbers for the right and left side outer tie rod ends to verify. If they are different part numbers, they are not the same.

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Question

Do I install a tie rod end top or bottom on with the castle nut?

Community Answer

Yes, you need to make sure your threads on the top of the nut are the same as the ones on the other nuts.

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Question

Could I replace a tie rod that has been used on the same type of car?

Community Answer

You can use the tie rod off another car, as long as it's the same year, make and model.

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Question

Can a poor tie rod replacement job shake the lug nuts loose?

Community Answer

No, tie rods only have to do with turning and the way the tire sits.

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Question

If the outer tie rod has come apart from the inner tie rod, how do I adjust the new outer tie rod?

Community Answer

Just measure from across the vehicle the inside of each front tire from both the back and front of the tires until the measurements are equal.

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Question

How long does it take to do a tie rod end replacement?

Community Answer

It depends on the condition of the old components, and your skills. Professional mechanics can replace a tie rod in about 45 minutes.

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Question

How do I know how many turns each time the rod end is if it's a foreign vehicle?

Community Answer

When you remove the old tie rod end, count the number of complete rotations it takes to remove it, and install the new tie rod end with the same number of turns. Also, it is a good idea to measure the length from the outer tie rod end to a fixed point on the tie rod (wrap a piece of tape on the tie rod as a reference), and then install the new tie rod end so that the length from the reference point to the end of the new tie rod end is the same as for the old one.

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